How to Keep Your Toilet Fresh & Functional

December 17, 2023

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What’s something you use every day but rarely think about? We’re going to tell you—your toilet. And believe it or not, the modern-day toilet is such an amazing convenience that there’s even a day dedicated to it. In 2013, World Toilet Day was declared an official United Nations day to bring public awareness of broader sanitations systems such as wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and hand washing. And sure, you might know facts about your heating and cooling unit and when it needs HVAC service, but how much do you know about the origins of the amazing toilet? If the answer is “not much” we are here to change that! Of course, we know that talking toilets isn’t the sexiest of topics. Still, we thought it’d be fun to share some interesting facts you might not know about that big round bowl. Five Fun Facts About the Toilet

• In medieval times, castles had “indoor toilets” that they called garderobes.
• In 1596, Sir John Harrington created the first flushing toilet.
• Thomas Crapper is credited for refining Harrington’s flushing toilet invention sometime in the 1860s.
• The first public toilets were installed in London’s Hyde Park in 1851 by a plumber named George Jennings.
• It wasn’t until the early 20^th century that having an indoor toilet become standard in many homes.

Toilet Care for Homeowners

Now that you are more educated about the origins of the toilet, it’s time to educate yourself on ways to keep your toilet running flawlessly. Here are five ways to maintain that porcelain bowl and troubleshoot everyday problems.

• Be “flush smart”

Don’t flush wipes, contact lenses, cotton products, dental floss, medicines, or other foreign objects down the toilet.

• Clean the bowl regularly

While cleaning the toilet should be a no-brainer, we know it isn’t a popular household chore, so it sometimes gets neglected. Cleaning the bowl regularly can help cut back on clogs and backups. Try to avoid super harsh chemical cleaners which may damage the pipes.

• Check for leaks

Routine checking of your toilet for leaks is always a good idea. Check for wet areas around the fixture and on the surrounding floor. You can also add food coloring to your tank and let it sit for about 30 minutes. If the water in your bowl stays clear, all is well. If it changes color in the bowl, you have a leak and should give one of our plumbers a call.

• Invest in a water softener

Does your home have hard water? Over time, the minerals in hard water can block pipes and contribute to clogs. Water softeners are a great way to remove minerals from water and prevent damage.

• Check in with your fill valve

Your fill valve is inside your water tank. Its main job is to control water flow and refill the tank after flushing. If the fill valve keeps dispensing water once the water level is reached, you have an issue. Call us!

Need Plumbing Help? We Can Bowl You Over!

If our troubleshooting tips don’t help solve your toilet issue, the team at Blue Dot is available seven days a week for plumbing repairs, too. In addition, we have licensed techs who can also provide water heater repair, gas water heater maintenance, furnace replacement, and so much more! Feel free to schedule your appointment online here.